Breed Comparison: Miniature Schnauzer Versus Azawakh

Last Updated: May 01, 2022

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Miniature Schnauzer Versus Azawakh: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Miniature Schnauzer and for the Azawakh. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Miniature Schnauzer or the Azawakh.

Miniature Schnauzer versus Azawakh

Miniature Schnauzer versus Azawakh: Overview

A very important difference between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Miniature Schnauzer is a small-sized dog while the Azawakh is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Miniature Schnauzer belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

On the other hand, the Azawakh belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Miniature Schnauzer versus Azawakh: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Miniature Schnauzer to the Azawakh based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh

FactorMiniature SchnauzerAzawakh
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Weight11 to 20 pounds33 to 55 pounds
Life Span12 to 14 years12 to 15 years
Height13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Does NOT Shed4/53/5
Easy To Groom2/55/5
Does NOT chew on things4/53/5
Good For Novice Owners3/52/5
Kid-Friendly3/52/5
Dog Friendly3/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/52/5
General Health3/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/54/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/55/5
Easygoing2/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/51/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
Intelligence4/53/5
Low Prey Drive2/52/5
Potential For Playfulness4/53/5
Tolerates Being Alone5/53/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Easy To Train5/53/5
NOT Rambunctious1/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/52/5
Average Lifespan13.0 years13.5 years
Average Price$1950No Data
Price Range$1400 – $2500No Data
Temperament Score79.3 percent100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Mycobacterium Avian Complex
  • Myotonia Congenita
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds17189
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Miniature Schnauzer in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Azawakh. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Miniature Schnauzer is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Azawakh is 81 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Miniature Schnauzer is a better pet than the Azawakh. So, you should get a Miniature Schnauzer!

    Miniature Schnauzer versus Azawakh

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh

    Below is a list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh are most different:

  • Miniature Schnauzers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Azawakhs are very easy to groom.
  • Miniature Schnauzers can tolerate cold weather. However, Azawakhs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh

    The Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh are most similar:

  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh are very playful.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size Comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer versus Azawakh

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh.

    The Miniature Schnauzer weighs 11 to 20 pounds when fully grown. The Miniature Schnauzer is 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Azawakh weighs 33 to 55 pounds when fully grown. The Azawakh is 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Miniature Schnauzer versus Size of Azawakh

    Lifespan of Miniature Schnauzer versus Azawakh

    The lifespan of the Miniature Schnauzer is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Miniature Schnauzer is 13.0 years.

    The lifespan of the Azawakh is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Azawakh is 13.5 years.

    The Azawakh live longer than the Miniature Schnauzer.

    Miniature Schnauzer versus Azawakh

    Temperament of the Azawakh Versus the Miniature Schnauzer

    The Azawakh has a better temperament than the Miniature Schnauzer.

    This is because the temperament score for the Azawakh is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Miniature Schnauzer is 79.3 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 79.3 percent, the Miniature Schnauzer has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Azawakh has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh by measuring the temperaments of 116 Miniature Schnauzers and 1 Azawakhs.

    Miniature Schnauzer versus Azawakh

    The Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer versus Popularity of Azawakh

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Miniature Schnauzer is more popular with dog owners than the Azawakh. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Miniature Schnauzer is 17 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Azawakh is 189 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer

    Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer

    Popularity of Azawakh

    Popularity of Azawakh

    Year Miniature Schnauzer Popularity Rank Azawakh Popularity Rank
    2013 17 no data
    2014 16 no data
    2015 16 no data
    2016 17 no data
    2017 18 no data
    2018 19 no data
    2019 18 190.0
    2020 19 193.0
    2021 18 185.0

    Tolerates Being Alone: Miniature Schnauzer versus Azawakh

    Miniature Schnauzers can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Azawakhs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than Azawakhs?

    Miniature Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Azawakhs shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Azawakh?

    Miniature Schnauzers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Azawakhs are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Azawakh?

    Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Azawakhs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Azawakhs?

    Miniature Schnauzers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Azawakhs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Azawakh?

    Miniature Schnauzers are very easy to train.

    Azawakhs are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Azawakh

    Miniature Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Azawakhs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and Azawakhs?

    Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Azawakhs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Azawakh?

    Miniature Schnauzers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Azawakhs have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Miniature Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Azawakhs?

    Miniature Schnauzers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Azawakhs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Azawakhs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Miniature Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Azawakhs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. Azawakh

    Miniature Schnauzers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Azawakhs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Azawakhs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Miniature Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather.

    Azawakhs can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Miniature Schnauzer Better for Apartment Owners than the Azawakh?

    Miniature Schnauzers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Azawakhs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Azawakh?

    Miniature Schnauzers are OK for new dog owners.

    Azawakhs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Miniature Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Miniature Schnauzer compares to other breeds aside from the Azawakh. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer to other breeds:

    Miniature Schnauzer versus Irish Setter     Miniature Schnauzer versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Miniature Schnauzer versus Affenhuahua     Miniature Schnauzer versus Australian Kelpie     Miniature Schnauzer versus Bluetick Coonhound     Miniature Schnauzer versus Standard Schnauzer     Miniature Schnauzer versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Miniature Schnauzer versus Great Dane     Miniature Schnauzer versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Miniature Schnauzer versus Bearded Collie     Miniature Schnauzer versus Norwich Terrier     Miniature Schnauzer versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Miniature Schnauzer versus Black Russian Terrier     Miniature Schnauzer versus French Bulldog     Miniature Schnauzer versus Skye Terrier     Miniature Schnauzer versus Shiloh Shepherd     Miniature Schnauzer versus Shichon     Miniature Schnauzer versus Pharaoh Hound     Miniature Schnauzer versus Cavachon     

    Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer versus Azawakh. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Azawakh better suits you and your family.